Editorial

Editorial

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21827/jve.7.41893

Keywords:

global perspectives, university internationalization, virtual exchange, Trans-Atlantic and Pacific Project, specialized communication

Abstract

Often resulting from grassroots initiatives by which teachers from different institutions connect their classes to work on collaborative projects, virtual exchange (VE) has led to the creation of networks and joint endeavors on a global scale. Moreover, such initiatives, which for a long time have not received institutional recognition or have not been included in internationalization policies, are now getting attention with programmes such as Erasmus+ VE (2018-20). This Special Issue on Global Perspectives on Virtual Exchange for University Internationalisation shows how VE can be applied to different disciplines and projects in universities across the globe,  highlighting multiple benefits for students, lecturers and universities. These benefits include opportunities for the development of students’ multilingual and intercultural competence, academic and digital literacies, and greater awareness of global issues. The results of the studies in this SI can pave the ground for research-informed university internationalization policies for more internationalized, digitilazed and transdisciplinary curriculum design which can help students develop the global competences needed in changing academic and professional scenarios.

Author Biographies

Judith Borràs, Universitat de Lleida

Dr. Borràs teaches different English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses at Universidad de Diseño y Tecnología (Madrid). At the same time, she is a researcher at Universitat de Lleida, where she conducts research on international student mobility, intercultural and second language development. She enjoys using sustainable materials and teaching practices that lead to students’ second language development.

Lídia Gallego-Balsà, Serra Húnter Fellow (Universitat Rovira i Virgili)

Dr. Lídia Gallego-Balsà is a Serra Húnter lecturer at the Rovira i Virgili University (Tarragona, Spain). Her research falls within sociolinguistics, internationalisation of universities and TESOL. She is committed to opening opportunities for students’ mobility which she materialises in the organisation of Blended Intensive Programmes (Erasmus +) which combine a short-term physical mobility abroad with a compulsory virtual component facilitating collaborative online learning exchange and teamwork.

Elisabet Arnó-Macià, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

Dr. Elisabet Arnó-Macià is associate professor of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). Her research has focused on technical communication and ESP as well as technology and language learning. She has also coordinated different Blended Intensive Programmes (Erasmus+ BIP). Since 2012, she has been involved in virtual exchange as a member of the TAPP (Trans-Atlantic and Pacific Project) network, and was the chair of the AELFE-TAPP 2021 Conference, held at UPC in 2021.

Published

2024-08-09

Issue

Vol. 7 (2024): Special Issue on Global Perspectives on Virtual Exchange for University Internationalisation

Section

Editorial

Copyright (c) 2024 Judith Borràs, Lídia Gallego-Balsà, Elisabet Arnó-Macià

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